Route cable through a floor with a cross joist

Phil Russo

Data Network Systems Inc.

Problem

The occupants of a 150-year-old building wanted Category 5 cable run from a patch panel on the second floor of the building to an outer wall on the third floor. A cross joist was a roadblock to fishing the cable through the floor. However, the building had an access panel from the second floor to the third floor.

Solution

Clear a path for the cable by drilling a hole through the cross joist and also drilling holes through all other joists between the access panel and the wall on which the cable would terminate.

Procedure

1) Peel back part of the carpeting from the floor.

2) Drill a 2-inch hole into the floor directly above each joist between the access panel and the wall on which the cable will terminate.

3) Drill a 1/2-inch hole into each joist so that you can access the cavity on both sides of each joist.

4) Drill a 1-inch hole into the cross joist.

5) Fish a pullstring from the access panel through the hole in the cross joist and then through the 1/2-inch holes you drilled into each joist.

6) Pull the cable through the same path using the pullstring.

7) Install 2-inch pucks in the holes above each joist.

8) Reinstall the carpet.

To run cable through a floor that contains a cross joist, cut a hole in the cross joist in the cavity closest to the cable`s entry point. Then, run the cable through the hole in the cross joist and through 1/2-inch holes in each joist between the entry point and the communications outlet.

Phil Russo is president of Data Network Systems Inc. (Gettysburg, PA).